-Why have you come, Ebony? Why did my father send you?

-He told you, you'd have a job to do. And... it is a big one. Your destiny has many dark spots and some bright ones.

-What does that mean?

-You will see in time, Elenwë.

Elenwë was silent.

She was lost in thought for a moment.

-Weren't you supposed to meet someone? the she-wolf suddenly asked.

Elenwë's face fell.

-Oh for the Valar! Legolas! He'll be worried...

Elenwë looked around, her eyes lost.

-How long have I been here?

-From the looks of it," said Ebony, "I would say almost three hours...

-This can't be true! I have to get back right away!

She was more than an hour away from Edoras.

Elenwë turned on her heels and started to run.

Ébène laughed slightly and caught up with Elenwë.

-Get in! she said.

-What in the world..." Elenwë murmured.

Ébène had become huge. Elenwë's head was just level with the base of the wolf's neck.

Elenwë took a little momentum and jumped on her new friend's back.

Ebony said cheerfully in the young elf's mind:

-Hang on, my beautiful one!

Elenwë laughed out loud as she felt Ebony pick up speed.

Elenwë could no longer make out the landscape.

How fast was the she-wolf going?

-I run at about the speed of light, Elenwë.

-But... that is not... possible.

-Yes, it is. In fact, it's almost like teleportation.

-But it is incredible! Elenwë murmured.

Indeed, in little more than five seconds, Ebony stopped at the foot of the city.

-I will leave you here. Don't hesitate to call me by my thoughts. I am not far away... I will come immediately.

-Thank you, Ebony.

Elenwë looked at the city of Edoras, overlooked by the golden castle of Medulsed.

She hurried on, not knowing that anyone had seen her.

***

It had been three hours since she had left.

Worried, he had gone to the observation tower, passing Aragorn on the way who was waiting on the palace porch for a signal from Gondor.

He had been there for about an hour when he saw a flash of white light in the distance.

He squinted his eyelids. The white mass stopped and Elenwë climbed down from the wolf's back.

She spoke quickly to it. The animal disappeared in a flash and Elenwë turned towards the city, looking at the castle.

She began to run towards it, and Legolas knew that she had only one hurry.

He went down the steps of the tower and stood at the entrance of the city.

Elenwë looked ahead and finally saw Legolas waiting for her under the entrance arch.

She accelerated and arrived a few moments later in front of Legolas.

He suddenly took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

-Um... Legolas... I'm so glad to see you again but... I... can't... breathe...

Legolas eased her back a little and she almost collapsed in his arms.

He looked at her. Her cheeks were completely red. She had probably been surprised by his welcome.

Legolas smiled at her and said:

-You were taking so long... I thought you would never come back.

Elenwë looked down and said:

-You are a fool... I cannot get away from you for too long...

Legolas took her right hand, placing it on his chest and putting his arm around her waist.

He drew her closer to him, holding her close to his body.

Then he leaned over and kissed her passionately.

Elenwë blushed violently and finally responded after a second to Legolas' kiss.

Legolas then looked at her, delighted by the crimson hue that invaded her cheeks and lips.

He put his hand on her face, making her jump.

She was uncomfortable and Legolas could feel it.

So he lowered his hand and took Elenwë's with conviction.

-Let's go home," he said.

Elenwë nodded and followed Legolas, clasping his hand in hers.

Legolas entered the common room and seated Elenwë before settling down beside her, still holding her hand.

Gimli smiled at the sight of them and Merry, who was unaware of this, made a surprised face before laughing softly.

Gimli was happy to see the hobbit smile.

The latter had been sad since Gandalf left with Pippin for Minas Tirith, six days ago.

Elenwë, a little embarrassed, asked:

-Where is Aragorn?

Gimli answered gruffly:

-Still outside the palace, watching for a signal from Gondor.

Elenwë looked down. Her friend had not slept for almost two days, too worried.

She sighed.

When they had finished eating, they went to the throne room.

Eomer was talking with Theoden, Elenwë was thinking about a possible battle plan, and Gimli and Legolas were talking happily when suddenly the doors of the room opened with a bang.

Aragorn entered, overjoyed. His hair thrown back by his momentum he entered and said in a loud voice:

-Gondor! Gondor is calling for help! The warning lights are on!

Elenwë looked at King Théoden. On his answer depended the potential success of the war against Sauron.

Elenwë knew he would not interfere, so she was surprised to hear from the king:

-And Rohan will answer!

She almost jumped for joy. There was still a chance! A tiny chance, but a chance nonetheless.

She moved the counters on the map.

Minas Tirith. The fields of Pelennor. This is where Arda's fate will be decided.